Finding our links in History - One Genealogist's thoughts, tidbits, and inspirations - All very much randomly posed.
One person's life does not stand-alone but interacts with family, neighbors, community, and history. Our Trees become Tangled just by living. --
T.

Monday, March 16, 2009

I have been seeking the parents of Susannah E. Underwood (b. May 1816 TN) since Feb 1998.I am hoping someone might give me a fresh insight or lead to our Susannah.Census records indicate her parents were born in the Carolinas.She married James M. Casteel on 8 Aug 1833 in Knox Co. TN (featured on 3/17/09 Tombstone Tuesday).Although she died 07 July 1903 the Macoupin Co. IL records office could not locate a death certificate for her. Her obituary referred to her only as Mrs. James M. Casteel aged 87 yrs of Bird Township and made no reference to her parentage or sibs.In July 1903 - Just before her death there was a note in the local newspaper where she resided:"E.H.Nix & mother are called to Susan Casteel's bedside. "I have no idea who EH Nix is (or even if EH is male or female...).I believe this person is related to Susan though. I am guessing they would be connected through her Underwood line because EH doesn't fit any of our Casteel connections...

Over time I have come to suspect Benjamin Underwood to be her father.I have located the following records referring to a Benjamin Underwood. Perhaps someone is familiar with any of them:

And in Hamilton Co. TN1850 censushh918 Underwood, Benjamin 62, M farmer NC; Mary 50 NC; Richard 29 Mfarmer; Martha 17 FI like their place of birth... but I do not know if these all refer to the same man.To be honest I have let this pursuit of Susannah's parents lie low for quite awhile as I climbed other branches of our tree. Maybe something new is out there that I haven't connected to yet.Thank you for any help/suggestions.

3 comments:

I think you were on the right trail you just stopped. You have Benjamin in the 1850 census. He doesn't appear to be in the 1860. Have you searched for probate papers in Hamilton County, Tenn. for him? I would start there. With any luck there's a will or at least administration papers. I might track the Martha and Richard Underwood in the 1850 census forward as well.

Could E.H. Nix be the Edward H. Nix in the 1900 census in Cass County Illinois, just two counties over from Macoupin? He is still living with his parents who are John J. Nix b. 1847 and Ellen F. b. 1848. If family members they would be nephew/nieces of your Susannah.

There's a reason why the 1750-1850 time period is called "the lost century." It's the worst time period to find good records.

As a post note - the mystery of Susannah parentage was confirmed and Benjamin and Mary Underwood. Also, the identify of EH Nix has been solved with the wonderful help of another genealogy researcher working in the same area. Thank you!!